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Thursday, September 06, 2012

conflicted

I love using scraps, there is no doubt about it. In fact, there is nothing I enjoy more (quilt wise) than sitting down with a pile of scraps and making something pretty, something useful out of them.

But I'm conflicted.

While whittling my scraps down to bits I have plenty of time to think about all the pretty and "new" fabric that I have and want to use. I would love to get around to it before gets old and out of date...or before I don't like the fabric anymore. Do you think they have a class out there somewhere that teaches you how to cut into your new stuff? :)

I've got such problems, don't I? Too much pretty fabric and not enough time to use it.

I love the phrase "out of date" to refer to fabric. How quickly does it spoil? Weeks, months, years? Having decided that I'm not buying any more fabric until certain conditions are met, I'm going to have to be loving my current stash. The pull to buy new lines is strong, though! How will I live without Chicopee and Madrona Road, not to mention Bella? And whatever else is out there that is calling my name at the moment. Ugh.

I have thought the same thing. The part about using it before it get's out of date, and made quickly. I decided to go for it and cut huge pieces to show off my favorites. Maybe some kinda brick pattern? Whatever I choose, I need to get to it before the moths do;)Good luck with yours and bless you for the scrap part. I don't have the patience for that.

I have a FQ bundle of 1001 Peeps that I've had since last February, and just finally cut into last week! I've been wanting the scraps from whatever project it became, but that "perfect" project never happened. I finally plunged into an idea I've had, and said screw it- if it doesn't work, that means more scraps anyway. I'm happy to say I love the quilt so far, and the scrap pile is quite nice, too. Best of both worlds!

Quite a problem to have! I try not to buy too many new fabrics without a plan, because the quilt ministry keeps me too busy to sew much for myself, but sometimes I see something I've just got to have before it gets gone! So I still have a FQ set of FFA2 sitting on the shelf, just waiting for the perfect project....

I decided last week to cut a piece from every single fabric I own and turn it into a scrap quilt. I'll be cutting a 2.5" strip from each piece of yardage, and a small chunk out of every FQ too. I've done 1/3 the FQ so far....

That way I have something useful of all the fabric I've loved (as well as a few 'what was I thinking!?)

I am the same. I keep buying scrap bags rather than cut into my stash! However, I need about 10 Fabrics for my autumn term class and I used 7 from my stash - unheard of, am I on the way to being cured?

Hahaha I've been doing that an awful lot! I just hate the thought of cutting up the gorgeous prints, so I use the scraps up. I even purposely buy scrap packs just so I don't have to use the good stuff first! =D

I very seldom bring a new fabric home without cutting into it that day. Here's how I do it: cut a strip off every fat quarter or yardage and add to the scrap bin immediately (I make scrap projects, too). Also, any charm packs or other pre-cuts - I open and sort into colours so as to integrate into my "palette" stash. If you buy a line of fabric specifically to keep them all together, then start that project within a week...cut chunks, add frames - go from there. This way I have scraps right away and there is not part of my stash I "save" unless it is slowly being collected for a specific design (pre-determined).

You are not alone! What I sometimes find is that I have "saved the good fabric" for so long that I can fall out of love with it. I like the idea mentioned of taking abit from every fabric and making a scrap quilt!

I'm the same way! Lately I've been forcing myself to cut a small square out of a new piece when I have an occasion to use it (like making bee blocks) - somehow once I get over that initial snip, it's easier to start using the rest! It doesn't always work though...I still have my FMF all bundled up in a pretty little stack just waiting for the "perfect" project!

Thrilled to have found your awesome blog. I've sewn for years (my daughter has more clothes than she can wear, so I needed to sew something else! I'm brand new to quilting, but really enjoying it thus far. Look forward to learning more through your excellent blog! Thanks so much!

That's so funny that you would mention being out of date because I was going to do a blog post on the "expiration date" of fabrics. I REALLY love your "new" fabric. Actually it's much more interesting, don't you think?

two things: use the fabric you love in everyday stuff around the house -- a pillowcase, placemats, aprons, table runner, zippy bag. and once you cut into it, you have scraps. as a rule, I don't cut up yardage bigger than 3 metres in case I want to use it for backing, but otherwise anything goes.

I don't use my scraps much, and I STILL have trouble getting to all my planned quilts.. the stash just keeps growing :) Go with the flow! It's such a blessing to have too much fabric and not enough time!

I have a problem cutting into new fabric too. I feel like I had a major break through this weekend though... I broke from quilting to make a bag, which I never do!! I feel like it gave me a new perspective at looking at fabric and now I'm eager to cut into some of my stash

Yup! That's what's got me trying to use everything up and not let it get old and icky. And trying hard to not buy more unless it's to finish a project! Why is it so hard to cut into special fabric? Some of my favorites (those tiny things smaller than charm packs), I've decided to not worry about them, but use them as 'eye candy' and enjoy looking at them.

Hi, I am a new quilter and can't help but to ask if you wouldn't mind listing some ideas on what to do with scraps. I am not very creative, already have a ton of scraps and have no idea what to do with them. I would appreciate any helpful tips. Thanks, Judi.

fabric is too cute to cut into sometimes :) I completely understand. But agree that the most amazing feeling is to make something useful out of something that you would otherwise throw away. If don't know what to make, you are more than welcome to send the scrap blocks over... I am making charity quilts :)

Scraps, chunks...fabric. We are all fellow junkies with fabric hangups! I just look at our hangups about fabric as part of the 'creative' process that makes our quilts uniquely our own. It's all good! :-)

When you find that class, let me know. I'll go with you. Because I have the same problem! I can't cut into my new fabrics. Later, when they are older, I wonder what my problem was! And I find I like them better when they are cut up and scraps, anyway!

Oh yes I have this problem too...please let me know if you find a "cure".sometimes I will take out my new fabric and iron it and plan a new quilt, then refold it and work on something scrappy. :0)Maybe you could start a 12 step program as soon as you find the answer for yourself!

I would love to cut a 5" square out of every fabric I own for an eventual charm quilt. I have plans to do that, but haven't yet.

I can relate in a way. I gave up quilting for several years. When I did, I gave away a few large boxes stuffed with fabric and only kept my favorite pieces. So now I am starting to get new fabric that I don't want to cut into; it's hard enough to cut into the old! lol. So I am using my old and cutting bits out of the new. Everything is getting cut--that's a good thing!

As for fabric getting outdated, I don't necessarily agree. My tastes haven't really changed. I've always chosen fabric based on color. I've never been into "traditional" fabrics. I used to be crazy about 30s fabric. Now I throw bits and pieces into my modern projects and it looks fab!

I have decided to "scrapbook" my favorite fabrics in a binder so I have a page-sized chunk in it's un-cut, un-quilted form. Whether to remind myself of what I used to like, or to appreciate a print once again, it's nice to have.

I don't think fabric has a "use by" date. I just started quilting about 2 years ago. My 1st quilt was a very simple pattern of rectangles usiing 15 different fabrics pulled from a stash of donated fabrics. When i had completed my quilt my youngest daugter admonished me. "mom" i rhought you had gotton rid of your fabrics". I reasured her i had ,- "no you didn't" she said pointing to different fabrics used in the quilt. "with this one you made me a skirt, that one a dress & that one a blouse"! By golly! I had pulled from the donated box of fabrics such similar fabrics I had used in the past, it was erie :). I guess fabric may patterns may be out of date except in our hearts. So now when I do see a pattern I "love and must have" I do allow myself to buy a small piece for my stash.

I used to have problems with cutting into my favourite fabrics, but I have come to realize that I get to enjoy them more when they are in a quilt because I get to see them more often than if they are hidden away in a closet. I still have more fabric than I'll ever get to use, though. It's what is called FABLE: Fabric Aquisition Beyond Life Expectancy... :-D

I have more and more scraps and strips that I've no idea what to do with. Or I'll get an idea to use them and then think, well who on earth would I give that to?! Maybe I should make them and donate them.